Longport boatyard fire

Published: Wednesday, 03 June 2009

A MAJOR fire broke out at the Longport Wharf on Monday devastating the ground and first floor of the Trent Boat Building Co Ltd, and cutting off power supplies.

The fire broke out on Monday afternoon at the boatyard by the side of the Trent & Mersey Canal, with fire crews attending the blaze, but its cause is not yet known, thought an investigation is now being carried out.

Fire crews spent over four hours at the scene damping down after the fire was brought under control, with traffic on the nearby road having to be diverted.

About two thirds of the building has been lost, with the ground floor used for storage, with the first floor having been turned into flats and had been refurbished, but both the ground and first floor is gutted and the roof gone.

It is not known as to whether it can be rebuilt or if the whole building will have to be demolished. The fire crews were able to prevent the fire spreading to the neighbouring building which are the company offices. But the fire also destroyed the cables supplying the boatyard, that is now without power.

With paint and inflammable material in the store, the first quickly took hold, and it was only when dense smoke was seen billowing out of the building that it was realised there was a fire.

The boat building company have been situated by the side of the Trent & Mersey Canal at Burslem for 30 years, and is well known for its high quality boats, both standard specification and bespoke.